Facing criticism for poor sanitation services particularly public urinals, the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) has decided to adopt e-toilet facility in its areas. Equipped with auto-clean system consuming minimal water, the pilot project will be launched in SDMC-run primary schools. Already functional in public parks and schools in Kochi in Kerala, e-toilet would cost `6 lakh each.
Officials said e-toilets in schools also aim at augmenting the number of toilets in schools as they are insufficient in number particularly in girl’s schools.
However, success of the e-toilets in the city remains uncertain given the poor track record of the erstwhile MCD in implementation of ambitious waterless urinals and high-end toilets ahead of the Commonwealth Games. Neither of the two projects could be materialised owing to technical and legal hurdles and they had to be scrapped altogether.
Meanwhile, officials said the e-toilets would be ease to maintain and also involve lesser cost and hence would prove to be a viable alternative to the conventional toilets. Self-washing mechanism, portability, auto flush on exit and time based water control options are some of the key features of e-toilets. Initially, four e-toilets would be installed in the SDMC schools and depending on its success, they will be installed in other schools in a phased manner.
“To begin with, one toilet will be installed in a school of each of the four administrative zones. The pilot project will require `24 lakh. The Education Committee of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation has already passed a resolution in this regard,” said an official. The proposal has recently got approval from the Standing Committee and the House.